ProForm PFTL99715 Power 995i Exercise Treadmill Review

The Proform PFTL99715 Power 995i Exercise Treadmill is made for virtually anyone – and that’s definitely not the case with most treadmills on the market today. It’s got features that appeal to most treadmill enthusiasts. And with it’s larger than average tread size, even runners can enjoy a full workout on this machine. Most of today’s low-priced to mid-range models simply aren’t made to withstand vigorous running. This one’s a clear exception. But it deserves a good look for lots of other reasons too.

It’s the 60 inch tread provided that makes it perfect for running. Even the largest commercial treadmills only have about a 64 inch tread. So 60 inches is up around the largest. Unfortunately it’s a one ply belt that’s factory installed, rather than a two ply. Single ply belts are cheaper and that helps keep the cost of this treadmill down. But they typically don’t last as long as two ply and they tend to run a little rougher.

You don’t have to worry though. You can always buy replacement treadmills for your Proform Power 995i. They cost about a hundred dollars each. The good news is that it’s not something that you need to change frequently – maybe once or twice in a lifetime your machine.

What’s outstanding about the treadmills Proform manufactures is the cushioning system they use. It’s one thing to have a treadmill at home and to be able to exercise when it’s convenient for you. But you want to be able to get the benefit of true “low impact” exercise – so you’re not causing excessive wear and tear on the parts of the body.

That’s exactly what the Proform cushioning system does. It softens the blow of every step. Even when your feet slam down hard on the track in full out running mode, the Proform absorbs some of that shock the way the springs and shocks on a car absorb the brunt of a bump on the road.

Proform’s own “ProShox” cushioning system is designed to reduce the impact of walking, jogging and running on the hip, knee and ankle joints. This makes your exercise less stressful on the body and it help to keep you injury free. It also means you can work out for longer periods of time – since you’re not in discomfort – and reap the rewards of a higher level of fitness.

The Proform Power 995i Treadmill At a Glance

In addition to the 20″ x 60″ tread and the exclusive ProShox cushioning, the Proform Power 995i treadmill also offers a 3.0 continuous horse power drive motor. Continuous horse power beats standard horse power by a wide margin and with a 3 CHP motor – you’ve got plenty of power for any level of intensity.

Oh and don’t forget about the space saver design that’s built into the frame. With their own “Easy Lift Assist” system, folding the treadmill is a piece of cake. You just need to be able to lift the back end of the treadmill high enough to lock it into position.

Still, Proform continues to shine with all they put into the Power 995i exercise treadmill. For example, you also get a 7 inch backlit iFit-enabled display, IFit workout apps, an iPod compatible audio system complete with two speakers, quick speed control buttons with variable speeds from 0 to 12 mph.

What Makes This Choice Stand Out

What’s truly outstanding is the 30 preset workout apps that you also get bundled in with the treadmill, at no extra cost. With incline control adjustments from 0 to 15% – you can make any exercise session as intense and sweat-inducing as you want. The EKG Grip Pulse will continue to measure heart rate, so you’ll want to pay attention here to make sure you stay within the desired range. And as you workout, there’s a built-in cool air fan to help keep you a little more comfortable. When you take a look at everything you get with the Proform 995i, there’s a ton of value there. It’s also a product that’s big on safety. Extended handrails are part of the design. This gives you more to grab hold of, should you ever slip or lose your balance. There’s also an emergency stop button included with this model that can prove quite helpful. The emergency stop button is designed to work in conjunction with the safety key. While you have access to the stop button at any point in time, should you ever slip, trip, or lose your balance, the safety key should shut the machine down for you.

Here’s how this safety feature works:

The safety key connects to the console on one end and to your clothing on the other. The end that connects to your clothing has a clip on it, while the opposite end snaps in place magnetically. Should something happen, for example, you trip on your shoelace, the magnetic connection disconnects, shutting down the motor immediately.

Being able to fold up the machine when you’re not using it is a huge advantage. You may not think it’s a big deal but it is for a lot of people. Once folded up, the footprint of the treadmill is reduced by about half the size – maybe more.

When folded, the safety storage latch locks into place. It’s held firmly there until you manually release it. So you never have to worry about it somehow becoming disengaged and crashing to the floor. The locking mechanism on the Proform prevents such a thing from happening.

The Larger Screen Makes Life Easier

Another nice discovery is that the screen on this model is larger than most treadmills in its price range. Even more expensive treadmills don’t have the screen that Proform 995i provides. This is a huge advantage when truth choosing to work out on a virtual running route because you can see your path clearly and thoroughly enjoy the experience. It will feel like you’re actually out on the trail – wherever that trail happens to be. So it’s not just exercise but an adventure too. Very cool!

If you’re like me and you like to run in the early mornings or even late at night, you can do so because the LCD display is backlit and it clearly shows the information you need to be able to see as you work out. Getting up early, before the rest of the family is up can be the best time of day to use your treadmill. Do it often enough and it will become a habit that you automatically do without thinking about it. This is one of the healthiest habits you could ever establish.

What Buyers Love The Most About The Proform 995i

Those 30 preset workout programs provided give buyers a tremendous advantage. They can help you achieve virtually any fitness goal. 20 of these programs are related to burning calories and losing weight while the remaining 10 are strictly workout sessions. Each one of these 30 apps is unique in terms of the speed and incline settings used in each segment of the program. So it’s ideal for virtually any fitness level. You can start with simple and easy and build yourself up from there – as far as you want to go.

While it is not impossible to get a few basic preset workouts included with moderately priced treadmills, it’s much more rare to find a full range of programs – including highly competitive workouts – available on these lower-priced models. Do not overlook this point. It’s what separates the Proform 995i exercise treadmill from the rest of the pack.

While many higher-end treadmills are classified as being “iFit compatible” all that really means is that it’s equipped to handle the iFit system. With most of those treadmills, you still have to fork out an extra hundred dollars or so to buy the iFit module separately to make it an iFit treadmill. That’s not the case here – you get it free. The 995i model actually provides the iFit system with your treadmill. Amazing!

The intention behind the iFit program is to help you the user workout smarter and more efficiently so that you see results faster. All the technology you need to achieve any fitness school is built right into the console. Although typically IFit is a monthly or yearly subscription – there are also free workouts available online. So you don’t need the paid iFit subscription to make this work for you.

One of the options you can choose is Google maps for selecting a new path to run on. This can take you to trails all over the world where you actually get to see where you’re running while you’re on the treadmill. Complete workouts provided by top personal trainer, Jillian Michaels, are also included. You can even compete with others in competitions, so there’s no limit to what you can do and how high you can climb in terms of getting into great physical condition with this model of treadmill.

Buyers have also appreciated the relative ease of assembly. For most, it was a relatively quick and easy process to put together their Proform Power 995i treadmill. When buying from Amazon – shipping may even be free – despite the fact that the carton weighs about 200 pounds. This alone is a huge advantage. Ever tried lugging something of this size home from the department store? I can tell you that its a royal pain in the posterior and something you’ll want to avoid wherever and whenever you can.

You get a stronger, more powerful motor and a longer track than most treadmills in this price range. That alone makes the Proform PFTL99715 treadmill worthy of serious consideration.

People also love the folding design because it allows them to free up more space. When the treadmill is not in use, you can roll it into a corner of the room, so it’s out of the way.

Another thing high on the list of positives are the built-in speakers. These provide high-quality sound so you can listen to and completely enjoy your favorite music as you workout. If you ever need to fire yourself up with motivation, put on your favourite tunes and get moving.

What Some Buyers Didn’t Like about the proform 995 power treadmill

As with any product, there are others some features or elements that past buyers mention as lacking. In the case of the 995i treadmill by Proform, it’s that the owner’s manual isn’t very helpful. Users have called it “inadequate”. Although it provides some troubleshooting solutions, they complain that there’s no section dedicated strictly to maintenance of the treadmill.

For a product that would make someone to spend almost $1000 to buy, one would expect that it is supposed to have a chest strap monitor for heart rate monitoring. Surprisingly the ProForm 995i power treadmill does not come with one.

What a shame! However, a dual handgrip is what is used for pulse monitoring, making in somehow difficult when performing heart rate exercise because in order for you to make sure that you are on your target rate, you would have to, at various intervals hold unto the grip.

One area where a better manual would be helpful is in regard to the track itself. The tread belt may occasionally need to be adjusted. It might also need an occasional application of silicone lubricant to keep it running smoothly. Clearer directions and exploded photographs would help.

As with lots of different models of exercise equipment, the cooling fan could be a lot stronger. Although it does provide some relief, a more forceful airflow would make more intense workouts a little easier to take.

Warranty

The Frame is warranted for a lifetime -as is the Drive motor. Parts are covered by a three year warranty and Labor chargers are covered for one year.

Overall dimensions come in at 37 inches wide by 59.5 inches high by 81 inches long. The product weighs 220 pounds. The weight limit for users of the treadmill is set at 350 pounds.

Where to buy proform power 995 treadmill

Making a good buying decision for a product like this should be done with care because there are situations that can effect your purchase in terms of price and service. How much will you spend in total before you get it in position in your home? How does it get there?

Buying online is usually the best way to go and there are several places that you can buy from. But my recommendation would be to get it from amazon.com because of there price and service. You can also read more reviews from people who have also used the product and you can learn something from their experience. Go to amazon.com and check it out for yourself. But if for some reason you don’t feel that this is the right one for you and it is pricey, you can check on the reviews about the Weslo Cadence G5.9 and R5.2 Treadmill Reviews

Summary

There’s a lot to like – even love – about this model. If you can see yourself using your treadmill for more than just walking, this could be the one for you. If you’re planning to check out the various iFit workouts, want to vary your speeds and inclines as part of your exercising, you will be hard-pressed to find a better deal anywhere in the Proform power 995i model of exercise treadmill.

The large-size tread area is perfect for people of any size – including those 6 feet tall and taller. That’s not always the case with treadmills and several have been slammed by reviewers for this very reason. But on the 995i model, you can easily get into a full running stride without worrying about running out of space. This is a huge advantage to larger folks and runners alike.

Another advantage is that the motor is a 3.0 continuous horsepower, Mach Z commercial grade motor. It’s capable of speeds of up to 12 mph for extended periods of time – even at full incline. So rest assured, it’s built for both power and durability. You can probably push this treadmill to limit for years to come.

When you look at all the added features built-in to the Pro 4995 I treadmill you’ll see that you’re getting tremendous value. All in all, it’s an excellent midrange level treadmill.

But not everyone has the same taste and preference. If you are just a beginer and on a tight budget, you might want to go for a less expensive model without the features of this treadmill. If so you should check out the Proform 6.0 RT Space Saver Treadmill Reviews